Neji led Kidomaru and the others through the ruined walls, loose rubble crunching underfoot.
Kidomaru carried his huge bow over his shoulder, a blade of grass between his lips, and gave a lazy yawn.
"Why are we rushing over there? It's not like Sasuke's going to die."
Neji's Byakugan activated slightly. His gaze pierced the smoke and dust as he said flatly:
"Shut up and keep up."
Meanwhile, where Sasuke was.
Boom!
A tremendous shock wave swept up the surrounding rubble. Sasori was driven back several steps, his feet gouging two deep furrows in the ground. After fighting Granny Chiyo and Sakura, he was already at the end of his strength.
Without holding back, he could have defeated Granny Chiyo and Sakura even together, but now Naruto had appeared.
"Tch."
A tremor entered Sasori's voice, because he was about to die.
Wrapped in a cloak of nine-tails chakra, Naruto descended from above with a Rasengan in his hand.
Sasori made no attempt to dodge. Just then, a figure darted in, placing himself between Sasori and Naruto.
Sasuke.
His Sharingan turned coldly, its two tomoe spinning rapidly as Chidori coated his blade.
"Chidori Slash!"
Bang!
Their attacks collided. Sasuke's Chidori Slash could not stop Naruto's strike at all, forcing him to activate his Cursed Seal mode again.
Only then did he barely manage to block it.
"That's enough, Naruto."
Sasuke's voice was quiet, but carried an unquestionable chill.
Naruto stopped in his tracks, and the savage aura of his nine-tails chakra gradually subsided.
"Sasuke! Get out of the way!
This guy nearly killed Sakura and Granny Chiyo!"
"I saw."
Sasuke did not turn around. His gaze stayed fixed on Sasori, his tone so calm it was almost icy.
"But Sasori is Orochimaru's partner."
"And he's a rogue ninja from Sunagakure."
"As